David Lammy has pleaded for Iran and Israel to ‘avoid miscalculation’ as he visited Lebanon.
The Foreign Secretary urged calm heads amid escalating tensions over the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Along with Defence Secretary John Healey, Mr Lammy met Lebanese PM Najib Mikati last night.
Earlier in the week the Foreign Office advised all British citizens to leave Lebanon as clashes on the border mount, Mr Lammy warning they risk ‘becoming trapped in a warzone’ if they stay in the country.
Along with Defence Secretary John Healey (left), Foreign Secretary David Lammy (right) met Lebanese PM Najib Mikati (centre) in Beirut last night
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei leads a prayer yesterday over the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard
Iran‘s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prayed over Mr Haniyeh’s coffin during his funeral at Tehran University on Thursday while Iran’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian stood next to him.
State television later showed the coffins placed in a truck and moved on the street toward Azadi Square in Tehran, and people throwing flowers at them.
Israel had pledged to kill Mr Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the group’s October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.
Iran supports Hamas, as well as Hezbollah and other Palestinian militant groups fighting Israel in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the Israelis have claimed responsibility for a strike on a suburb of Beirut targeting the Hezbollah commander allegedly behind the deaths of 12 children and teenagers in a rocket attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights over the weekend.
Following his meeting with Lebanese officials, Mr Lammy posted to X: ‘We must prevent further escalation in the Middle East and avoid miscalculation.’
He added: ‘It is in no-one’s interest for others to be drawn into this conflict.’
Mr Lammy and Mr Healey also visited Qatar on Wednesday to call for de-escalation of the fighting and to press for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said ‘all parties’ in the Middle East must avoid escalatory actions that could plunge the region into further conflict.
Iranians follow a truck carrying the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard yesterday
